An OUWB student interest group has prepared nearly 50 care packages for patients who experience early pregnancy loss and, as a result, receive treatment at the Beaumont Royal Oak Emergency Department.
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group (OGIG) led the effort with the help of a mini-grant from Compass, which is OUWB’s community engagement office.
The care packages are designed to provide comfort and support in the form of handwritten notes from medical students, feminine hygiene supplies, a journal, tea bags, flower seeds, and an informational packet on early pregnancy loss.
The care packages included handwritten notes from medical students, feminine hygiene supplies, a journal, and more. |
First-year medical student Sarah Becker coordinated the project. Becker said she was involved in a similar effort while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Hillsdale College.
“Coming to the ER can be tricky because there’s this really fast-paced environment and it’s not necessarily conducive to this experience that can be emotionally difficult for a lot of women,” said Becker.
“I hope to enter this field eventually and I think there are just a lot of things that we can do to make this a better experience for women,” she added.
Second-year OUWB medical student Katie Wheeler, treasurer, OGIG, helped Becker meet with the Beaumont miscarriage task force on the project.
Wheeler said Beaumont officials have indicated “a really high demand for this…we didn’t realize how significant this would impact (the Beaumont ER).”
She added that the collaboration on the care packages between OUWB and Beaumont speaks to the strength of the relationship between the two organizations. OUWB and Beaumont recently agreed to extend their affiliation until at least 2041.
Becker said the fact that the project received funding from Compass shows that OUWB wants students to be engaged with the community.
“Compass really gave us a lot of independence to organize the project and make it our own,” she said.
With regard to the patients who will receive the care packages, Wheeler said it’s all about effectively addressing a strong need in the community.
“I don’t think you have to see the patient’s face to know that these care packages will have a really positive impact,” she said. “Just putting myself in their shoes, I can imagine how relieved I would feel to have the supplies I need after I experienced something that can be so emotionally draining.”
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at [email protected].
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
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